Electric switch-operating device



G. H. KUESTER ELECTRIC SWITCH OPERATING DEVICE Filed June 1924 Munnuh Patented Oct. 26+, l92t3.

Uhllll ATENT FFICE.

ELECTRIC SWITCH-OPERATING DEVICE.

Application filed June 7,

This invention relates to an improved device, which may be conveniently termed an electric switch operating device, the same being particularly, but not especially, restricted for use in connection with a common type of snapswitch of the rotary type, such as is found on walls, in buildings for turning off or turning on the electric lights. Switches of the above type comprise broadly a casing or housing, tor the usual electric contacts, etc., and means for attaching the casing to a support, and a rotary linger knob disposed on the outside of the casing for controlling the switch. It is my aim to provide a novel device, to take the place 01 the usual linger knob, the improved device being operated by a chain.

I aim primarily to provide a device of this class, which is in the form of an attachment, and which can be applied to the exterior of the usual switch, without requiring alterations thereto.

I contemplate also providing a structure which is exceedingly compact and simple, and is or the size to permit it to be built in the common snap switch, by simply enlarging the casing thereof slightly.

The several features and advantages of the improved device will become readily apparent upon considering the following description, in conjunction with the drawings.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the application, and in which like numerals are en'iployed to designate like parts throughout the ame:

Figure 1 represents a central vertical section through a switch operating device constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a central cross section through the device, showing the manner in which it is attached to the conventional snap switch casing.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail perspective view, showing certain details which are associated with the attaching brackets.

Figure 4 is a view, showing a slightly modified form of the invent-ion.

In the drawings, a conventional switch casing or housing is represented by the reference character H, the rotary switch operated stem being designated by the letter S, the same being provided on its outer end with a rigid head A. It is to the latter detail that my improved device is attached for operating the switch element. The de 1924. Serial No. 718,597.

the present invention.

As before stated, the invention includes.

two different embodiments, one of which is in the form of a supplemenal attachment,

and the other of which is of such a construction as to permit it to be built in the switch casing, at the time the switch is manufactured. to Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, wherein the attachinent'is shown. Here it will be seen that the device comprises mainly a rotor 1, which is formed from a single metal stamping, to render it extremely light in weight. This rotor comprises a disc, upon the inner face of which a channel is formed. This channel provides a pair of spaced parallel confining flanges 2 and 3 respectively. At circuml erentially spaced points, the bottom 01 the panel is struck up, or indented, to form a quartette of stop shoulders at. As seen more clearly in Figure 1, the portions of the shoulders are eccentrically disposed. Adapted to slide upon the eccentric portions when the rotor is rotated, is a shoe 5, having an extension 6, on one end. The function of the extension will be described later. shown in the figure the shoe is adapted to normally abut one of the shoulders 4:. A pull chain 7 is attached at one end to the shoe, and is passed over approximately one-half of the periphery of the rotor, the free end thereof being passed through an opening 8 formed in an attaching l racket 9. A ball 10 is secured to the free end of the chain and is disposed against under side of the portion 11 of the bracket. The chain is confined against lateral displacement by the flanges 2 and 3. A relatively long coiled spring 12 is attached to the opposite end of the shoe at one of its ends, and the other end is anchored to an extension 13 carried by the portion 8 of the attaching bracket. This coil is also maintained in place by the flanges 2 and 3 between which it is con fined. To limit the rotation of the drum or rotor, a stop finger 14 is provided. The free end of this linger extends into the path of movement of the shoe, and during the rotation of the drum, the extension 6 on the shoe comes into engagement with the free end of the linger to stop the movement of the shoe, until it snaps back of the next succeeding shoulder. To prevent retrograde movement of the drum, 1 provide aspring Attention is lirst directed.

check 15. This check acts in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure I. It is yet to be pointed out that the discular portion of the drum is formed at its center with a cup-like hub 16, which is fixed to the aforesaid head A, so that when the drum is retated, the rotation will be imparted to the latter.

The aforesaid guide bracket 9 is provided with an attaching band 17, which surrounds a portion of the aforesaid housing II. The band is preferably a split resilient band, and the free ends thereof are connected together by a screw or the like 18. To brace the horizontal portion 11 of the bracket, one end is extended upwardly, as indicated at 19, and this portion is attached by a suitable fastening 20 to the head A.

As is usual, when it is desired to operate the switch, it is necessary to give the stem S a quarter of a turn. Instead of doing this with the usual finger knob, the quarter of a turn is imparted to the head A by pulling upon the flexible chain 7. In operating the device, it is only necessary to grasp the free end of the chain and to exert a pull in a direction from right to left. Such endwise pull upon the chain will exert a pull upon the shoe 5, which will travel with the drum in the direction of the arrow, until the extension 6 engages the free end of the stop finger 14. At this time, the coiled spring 12 is stretched longitudinally. At the completion of the quarter turn, the tension of the coiled spring will cause the shoe to snap back of the next succeeding shoulder. The device is thus set for the next operation. At the same time, the check finger 15 comes into engagement with an adjacent shoulder, to prevent retrograde movement of the drum. The tension of the spring will return the shoe and the chain to their normal positions.

As above intimated, the invention need not necessarily be in the form of an attachment, but it may be built in the switch casing, at the time the same is manufactured. To give an idea of how this is accomplished,

I now direct attention to Figure A, which discloses a switch casing 21, which is identical with those commonly constructed, with the exception that the outer end thereof is enlarged to provide an annular chamber 22, within which the improved operating device is confined. In this arrangement, the bracing and guide bracket is, of course, entirely eliminated, and the wall of the chamber is simply provided at its bottom with an opening 22, for passage of the pull chain. So far as the construction of the operation device itself is concerned, it is identical with that already described, and it is thought unnecessary to again refer to the same in detail. Furthermore, the method of operation is identical with that previously set out.

Although I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, I wish it to be understood that minor changes coming within the scope of the subjoined claim may be resorted to, if desired.

I claim:

An electric switch operating device of the class described comprising a rotary drum in the form of a metal stamping formed at its center with an attaching hub for attachment to the operating stem of a rotary electric switch, the periphery of the drum being provided with spaced parallel confining flanges and being further provided between said flanges at circumferentially spaced points with pressed stop shoulders, a slidable shoe upon the shouldered periphery of the drum, said shoe being disposed between said flanges and being adapted to successively engage the shoulders, a flexible pull chain anchored at one end to the shoe, a guide through which the free end. of the chain passes, cooperating stop elements on the shoe and guide for term porarily stopping the rotation of the drum at predetermined intervals, and a coiled spring connected at one end to the shoe and anchored at its other end on said guide.

In testimony whereof I my signature.

GEORGE H. KUESTER. 

